USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > New Bedford > History of New Bedford, Volume III > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31
Gideon Allen, born May 29, 1791, in Dartmouth, died in New Bedford, December 6, 1878. He was long one of New Bedford's promi- nent business men, having extensive whaling interests, his firm owning many vessels. His place of business was first located on Front street, later on Water street and Hazard's Wharf, he continuing active in business until his death, although he saw New Bedford's glory as a whaling port depart. He was a director of the Merchants Bank, member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, and one of the com- mittee in charge of the erection of the edifice at the corner of Eighth and Union streets. He was one of the original incorporators of Rural Cemetery, April 12, 1837, the property being sold to the city of New Bedford by Gideon Allen and Benjamin T. Sanford in 1849 for about $5,000. With him was associated his sons, Gilbert and Gideon, Jr., but they realized quickly when the tide turned against whaling and engaged in other lines. When the business finally departed, they were both well established in their new enterprise. Gilbert Allen, who died April 27, 1899, was president of the New Bedford Copper Company, president of
435
NEW BEDFORD
the Merchants Bank, at one time president of the New Bedford Gas Light Company, and held other official positions in the corporations of his city. Gideon Allen married (second) Betsey H. Nye, born January 14, 1796, died September 27, 1844, daughter of Thomas and Hannah (Hathaway) Nye, and granddaughter of Stephen and Abigail Hathaway. Mr. and Mrs. Allen were the parents of : Hannah, married Jireh Swift; Eliza Nye, married Isaac Davenport, Jr .; Annie P., died aged thirteen years ; Mary S., died aged sixteen years; Alice, married Griffith B. Daven- port; Henry H .; Gilbert, of previous mention ; Annie Perry ; Gideon, of further mention ; and Mary S.
Gideon Allen, Jr., youngest son of Gideon and Betsey H. (Nye) Allen, was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, September 27, 1837, and is yet an honored resident of his native city. Although he has obtained octogen- arian honors, he is the executive head of the First National Bank and the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Company, two of New Bedford's leading corporations, leaders in finance and manufacture. His mother having been a member of the Society of Friends, his early education was obtained in Friends School at New Bedford, and Haverford, Pennsylvania, his preparatory education being completed at Phillips (Andover) Academy. He then entered Harvard University, whence he was graduated with the usual Bachelor's degree, class of "58," his business career beginning immediately thereafter. He was associated with his father and brother in the whaling business until 1862. The years, 1862-1865, were spent in San Francisco, California. From 1865 until 1873 he was again associated with his father in business, but in 1873 began a connection with the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Company, which has now continued for forty-four years, durng which time he has advanced from bookkeeper to president. He filled the position of bookkeeper so well that he was soon advanced to the head of the office force, holding that position for several years until the death of the treasurer, E. S. Taber, in 1889, whereupon he was elected to fill that responsible position. In March, 1902, he resigned, having been elected vice-president ; his position as treasurer being taken and being still held by Herbert E. Cushman. On September 11, 1903, Andrew G. Pierce, president of the Morse Twist Drill & Machine Com- pany died, and Mr. Allen was at once chosen by the board of directors to fill the executive chair, and from that time he has been president of the company and active in its duties. He has long been connected with the directorate of the First National Bank of New Bedford and for a number of years has been its honored president. He is also a member of the board of investment of the New Bedford Institution for Savings. He has given his life largely to the prosecution of his business interests, but has served his city as a member of the school committee, was for many years a member of the Protecting Society, a valuable branch of the fire department, and is a long time member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church. In political faith he is a Republican. His clubs are the Wamsutta and Country, both of New Bedford.
436
NEW BEDFORD
Mr. Allen married, October 16, 1860, Horatia Anna Howland, daugh- ter of Williams and Mary R. (Wood) Howland, this uniting two of the oldest New England families. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are the parents of : Mary Howland, Frank Howland, both of whom died young; George Swain, died at the age of fifteen years, April 15, 1882; Helen Howland, who resides at the family home, No. 35 Grove street, a lady greatly interested in benevolent work, particularly the Children's Aid Society, of which she is treasurer.
Mr. Allen can review with satisfaction a life of successful effort in which there has been few unproductive periods. His business career, which began upon his release from the University in his twenty-first year, has now continued over a period equal to an average man's life, and he is yet the active head of two great corporations.
CHARLES ALLEN CASE.
Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, became the home of John Case, great-grandfather of Charles Allen Case, John Case, being the father of Captain Allen Case, a master mariner, who resided in New Bedford, where his son, Allen (2) Case, was born and became a member of the prosperous firm, Delano & Case, coopers. In the palmy days of the whaling business, Delano & Case did a large business at their plant on Fish Island, they receiving also the first schooner load of staves ever landed at a wharf north of the New Bedford and Fairhaven bridge. Along in the forties they sold their cooperage business to Adams & Peck in order that they might become oil inspectors and gaugers. In the year 1866, Delano & Case dissolved, Mr. Case continuing an oil inspector until 1871, when he retired. He married, October 27, 1836, Cordelia Leonard, two children being born to them : Avis Delano, married Philip Howland, they now both deceased ; and Charles Allen, to whose memory this review is inscribed.
Charles Allen Case was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 10, 1845, died at his home on Purchase street in his native city, April 28, 1905. He was educated in the private schools of New Bedford, and at the completion of his school years he entered business life as a traveling salesman. He continued on the road for some time, then abandoned that line to enter the drug store owned by Ezra Holmes. He learned the apothecary business thoroughly, and in 1882 purchased the business, which he successfully conducted until the breakdown of his health, which was the forerunner of his death in 1905. The business with which Mr. Case was so long connected was founded in 1846, by M. Israel, who was succeeded by A. R. Holmes, he by Ezra Holmes, he by Charles Allen Case. The store was located from the first at the corner of Purchase and Hillman streets. A Democrat in politics, Mr. Case bore his full share of civic responsibility, and gave freely of his time and ability to the public service. He was a member of Common Council in
Geo. 7. Brightman.
437
NEW BEDFORD
1876 and 1877, and again in 1885 and 1886. In 1878 he represented New Bedford in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and at all times could be relied upon to aid in any undertaking looking toward the com- mon good. He was a member of the New Bedford Protecting Society, was a Baptist in religious preference, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He died at the age of sixty and was buried in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Mr. Case married, at Gardner, Maine, January 16, 1889, Nellie M. Townsend, born there, June 9, 1861, daughter of Stephen Townsend. Mr. and Mrs. Case were the parents of two sons: Allen (3rd), born October 30, 1890, now an employee of the Commonwealth Bank of Boston; and Leonard Townsend, born January 8, 1896, now enlisted in the United States Navy.
CAPTAIN GEORGE FOX BRIGHTMAN.
For twenty-seven years Captain George F. Brightman sailed the seas as foremast hand, mate and master. His first command was the ship "California," of which he was first mate for four years. Captain Brightman was known as the "lucky captain," the master who never sailed on an unprofitable voyage. His luck was proverbial and he never had any trouble in securing a crew. Not until his last voyage, in 1889, did serious misfortune overtake him. The ship, well laden, was but two days sailing from her home port, New Bedford, when a hurricane which continued three days struck the "California," dismasted her and sorely tested the good ship, but she weathered the gale, and under jury rig finally made Block Island in safety. After his marriage, in 1872, Mr. Brightman, within a month, sailed for the South seas as mate, returning four years later. When he sailed on his next voyage it was as Captain Brightman, and Mrs. Brightman was a passenger. She proved a good sailor, and henceforth as long as he continued a whaler she shared the privileges of the quarter deck. This was not merely courtesy, for the captain's wife had mastered navigation, could take the ships position with the quadrant, and with precision work out the latitude and longi- tude. Frequently, when whales were plentiful, she navigated the ship, and when Captain Brightman was once stricken with fever she took his place for several days and correctly navigated the ship. In the many ports at which the "California" touched, Mrs. Brightman would secure a souvenir of her visit, and now, in her New Bedford home, amid other cherished mementoes of her gallant sailor husband, she has these curios which furnish abundant material for an illustrated travel talk. The sailors were firm believers in the luck of their captain, but attributed a good share to the captain's wife, and two of her mementoes are a small model of a sperm, and a right whale carved by one of the officers. To- gether Captain and Mrs. Brightman sailed three long whaling voyages to the South Pacific, then with much regret bade good-bye to the
438
NEW BEDFORD
"California," so long their home, and retired to the tame existence of a dweller on land in a city. Their first home was on Acushnet avenue, the old Covel place, but when the mills came the home was sold, and in 1903 they moved to the corner of County and Willis streets, New Bedford, and resided there until the bond was broken, and the strong arm upon which the wife had leaned so long was withdrawn.
George Fox Brightman was born at Smith's Neck, South Dartmouth, Bristol county, Massachusetts, March 5, 1844, and died in New Bedford, Massachusetts, July 3, 1914. His parents moved to New Bedford the year following his birth, therefore that city may be styled his life long home. He attended the public schools of New Bedford, and for a time tried farming after his school days ended. But he was not tempera- mentally fitted for a farm, and he soon followed the example set him by other young men of his acquaintance, the result being that his name appeared on the papers of the bark "Rocius" as a foremast hand entitled to a 175th. lay, which meant that every time one hundred and seventy-five barrels of oil were taken, he received one barrel, this in lieu of all other remuneration. The "Rocius" sailed from New Bedford, in March, 1863, cruised the Atlantic whaling grounds until December, 1863, then returned to New Bedford with seven hundred and twenty-four barrels of oil, the young whaler's share netting him $175.
This was the beginning of twenty-seven continuous years of exciting, arduous, and often perilous life as a whaler. On his next voyage, which was also a short one, in 1864, he sailed on the "Minerva," then made his third voyage in the bark "Pacific," sailing in June, 1865, and returning with a good catch in October, 1867. On his third voyage he had reached the dignity of boat steerer, which meant that he was becoming a skilled whaler and drawing a better share of the profits. His fourth voyage was as fourth mate of the ship, "John P. West," they cruising in the Indian Ocean the first year out, and taking one thousand four hundred barrels. He left the "West" at St. Helena, and shipped on the bark "Nautilus" as second mate in 1872, with two thousand barrels of whale oil and eight hundred barrels of sperm oil. This catch, with the larger portion coming to him as second mate, brought him in a good sum, and on July 3, 1872, he married Elizabeth F. Douglas, of Rochester, Massachusetts, daughter of Barnabas Nye Douglas, of Middleboro, but at the time of the marriage of his daughter a farmer of Rochester. Mr. Douglas enlisted during the War of 1812, but saw no active service. He served Rochester as school committeeman, and was interested in other town activities. He married Phoebe Nye Swift, who was born in Pocassett, Massachusetts. Captain and Mrs. Brightman were the parents of a son, George F., born April 19, 1882, during Mrs. Brightman's second voyage, and died on Norfolk Island (between Australia and New Zealand) April 22, 1882.
A month after his wedding, Captain Brightman shipped as first mate of the ship, "California." Four years they sailed and cruised the Pacific
439
NEW BEDFORD
for whales before again entering New Bedford harbor, but when, in 1876, he again sailed in search of oil and gain, he was master of the "California," and Mrs. Brightman was on board, an honored guest. For twelve years they sailed together in that ship, making three voyages of four years each. Captain Brightman kept his ship in the South Pacific mostly, making a New Zealand port occasionally. Mrs. Brightman circumnavi- gated the world three times during the twelve years, and became not only a good sailor but a skilled navigator, one who could be depended upon in stress and storm, as well as in fair weather. These three voyages as master were very profitable ones, the second being the most successful, that catch, four thousand barrels of sperm and whale oil and twenty-five thousand pounds of whale bone. He retired from the sea in his forty- fifth year, having sailed continuously from his eighteenth year.
Captain Brightman retired from the sea in 1889, and for twenty-five years lived a semi-retired life in New Bedford. He took a deep interest in politics, was alderman from Ward I under Mayors Brock and Stephen Brownell, and in March, 1895, he was appointed a member of the license board by David L. Parker, an office he held two years. While he never lost his interest in public affairs he would never accept office after leaving the license board. He was an ardent Democrat, and enjoyed the con- fidence of a large circle of friends. He was a most entertaining talker, and the veranda of his County street home was usually well filled with interested visitors, sometimes young, sometimes old people, and some- times both. He was most hospitable and enjoyed these visitors to the full. In his later years he became quite a baseball enthusiast, enjoying the games with his friends, young and old. These were twenty-five happy years for Captain and Mrs. Brightman, who in time forgot that they loved the sea so dearly, and in their home spent those years of quiet contentment. On the forty-second anniversary of their wedding day, July 3, 1914, Captain Brightman died.
ISRAEL ELLIS RUDMAN, M. D.
In the sixties, the grandfather of Dr. Rudman came from his native land to the United States, settling at Bangor, Maine, being one of the first Russian Jews to locate in that city. He did not bring his children with him, but left them with their mother in Russia to complete their studies in Jewish institutions. In time they also came to Bangor and there the grandfather died in 1905, aged about seventy. His son, Samuel Ellis Rudman, born in Smargon, Russia, in 1865, served four years in the Russian army, ranking as quartermaster, most of his service being near Vilna, Russia. He married Ida Shnipelisky, born in Vilna in 1872, grand- daughter of Rabbi Eleazer Strassoner. In the Strassoner family were several famous Rabbis. Among them was Matthew Strassoner, and among the monuments reared by those of the name is the Free Jewish
440
NEW BEDFORD
Public Library in Vilna. Strassoners intermarried with the Rome family, famous as printers and publishers in the City of Vilna. In 1899 Samuel E. and Ida Rudman came to the United States, joining his father in Bangor, Maine, where he became a well-to-do dealer in lumber and lumbermen's supplies.
Israel Ellis Rudman, son of Samuel Ellis and Ida (Shnipelisky) Rudman, was born in Vilna, Russia, April 15, 1893. There he passed the first six years of his life, being brought by his parents to Bangor, Maine, in 1899. He completed the grade and high school courses of study in 1912, then entered Tufts College Medical School, whence he was grad- uated M. D., class of 1916. During the years 1915 and 1916 he was house physician on the Neurological Dermatological Service of the Boston City Hospital. After graduation he came to New Bedford as house physician to St. Luke's Hospital, but after six months service he resigned to enter private practice and is now located at No. 909 South Water street, New Bedford. In November, 1917, Dr. Rudman enlisted in the Medical Re- serve Corps of the United States Army. He was commissioned as first lieutenant in January, 1918, and soon after he was called into active service. He is at present connected with the Evacuation Hospital, No. 14, Camp Greenleaf, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Brith Abraham, the Max Levy Progressive Society, the Labor League, the Young Men's Hebrew Association and the New Bedford Zionist Society. Dr. Rudman is unmarried.
THEODORE DEAN WILLIAMS.
Theodore Dean Williams was a prominent and successful business man of New Bedford, Massachusetts. He was born July 5, 1829, in Raynham. He died in New Bedford, August 4, 1900, on the dawn of the new day. He was the son of Jonathan Williams and his wife, Phebe (Elmes) Williams, of Raynham, Massachusetts. He came to New Bed- ford when he was a young man, and was a clerk in the store of Sylvanus Thomas, who was a relative by marriage. After a few months the firm of Dow & Company wanted Theodore, and offered him a very fine posi- tion in their store. He asked Sylvanus Thomas what he should do about accepting it. Sylvanus answered and said, "I cannot pay you as much as Dow & Company have offered to you, but you are worthy of it, and, Theodore, I am not going to stand in your way of advancement." In the year 1849, Theodore D. Williams went to California, with others who had the gold fever, in a ship that sailed from New Bedford, to seek their fortunes. They came near being shipwrecked, and they all returned to New Bedford, with less gold in their belts than they carried away. Afterwards Theodore D. Williams entered into partnership with Amassa Bullard, under the firm name of Bullard & Williams. Later on, in the
441
NEW BEDFORD
fifties, he entered into copartnership with Andrew H. Potter and Simeon Doane, under the firm name of Potter, Doane & Williams, on Water street, No. 28, corner of Shepherds lane, where they purchased the build- ing, and carried on a very successful and lucrative business for several years. The firm owned extensively in whaling ships that brought in large returns. Some years afterwards Mr. Williams withdrew from the firm and reestablished himself on Union street, in the clothing business, where he remained until Acushnet avenue was cut through to William street, and his store had to be torn down to make room for a new part of the street. Then he retired from an active business life. Mr. Wil- liams was always courteous to everyone, generous and noble hearted, and a man of fine personal appearance. No one ever appealed to him for assistance in vain. He never shirked his obligations, to do his part was a pleasure to him, and he was strictly honest in all of his dealings with everyone. He married, January 2, 1849, Caroline Tuckerman, who was born in New Bedford, January 25, 1828, and died in New Bedford, December 24, 1893. She was the daughter of Captain Robert Tucker- man, who was born in New Bedford, July 14, 1795, and died in New Bedford, February 3, 1884, aged eighty-eight years, six months, twenty days, and his wife, Betsey (Buloid) Tuckerman, born in New Bedford, 1798, died August 14, 1875, aged seventy-six years, six months, fourteen days Captain Robert Tuckerman was the son of Captain Stephen Tuckerman and his wife, Elizabeth Tuckerman, of Nantucket. Captain Stephen Tuckerman and his wife had children: 1. Sally, born April 5, 1792. 2 and 3. Niobold and Robert (twins), born July 14, 1795; Vollin- tine, born March 31, 1798; Stephen, born June 14, 1801 ; Robert, married Betsey Buloid, March 2, 1818; their children were: Stephen, born Feb- ruary 5, 1819, died 1873; Maria, born January 28, 1825, died November 10, 1842 ; Caroline, born January 25, 1828, died December 24, 1893, mar- ried, January 2, 1849, Theodore Dean Williams, of New Bedford. Robert and Charles, born January 6, 1831 ; Charles died July 28, 1837; Robert died in Auburn, New York, December 14, 1900; he married Harriet Bowman, of New Bedford, September 21, 1865. She was born July 7, 1834, died in Auburn, New York, November 10, 1902. Their daughter, Alice H. Tuckerman, was born in Scipioville, Cayuga county, New York, November 14, 1868, and was married in Auburn, New York, October 12, 1899, to Jesse H. Stanton, of Auburn, New York. The children of Theodore Dean Williams and his wife, Caroline (Tuckerman) Williams were: Maria Tuckerman Williams, born October 19, 1849, died June 13, 1883, married Alfred M. S. Butler, of Boston, December 23, 1869, the son of Leonard and Sophronia Butler, of Hanover, Connecticut, afterwards of Hartford, Connecticut. Elizabeth Williams, married, January 22, 1908, in Boston, Massachusetts, Charles Warren Read, the son of Joseph R. and Cynthia A. (Potter) Read, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Caro- line Williams, born May 30, 1855, died August 23, 1855. Charles Dean Williams, born August 17, 1860, died May 8, 1878, in New Bedford. The
442
NEW BEDFORD
children of Alfred M. S. Butler and his wife, Maria T. (Williams) Butler were: Theodore, Minnie P., Maria Caroline, Sophronia Elizabeth, Alfred M. and Katherine James Butler. She married Arthur Taylor ; their son was Robert Taylor. Alfred M. Butler, A. M., married June 23, 1908, Irene (Endrés Von Dilscher) Butler, and their children were: Clara W. Butler, born June 26, 1909, and Elizabeth Caroline Butler, born February 23, 1916, of Boston, Massachusetts .. Alfred Munson Butler, A. M., son of Alfred M. S. and Maria T. (Williams) Butler, was head of Science Department, High School of Practical Arts, Boston, 1914. .
Jonathan Williams, Jr., was born December 16, 1785, in Raynham, Massachusetts. Married, November 12, 1820, Phebe Elmes. He and his wife died in Raynham ; their children were: Elijah, born June 25, 1823, who married Fidelia Leonard; Theodore Dean, who married Caroline Tuckerman; Sophia, who married Eliphalet Thomas, of Middleboro, September 26, 1838; Edward, who died at Sterling, Illinois. The father of Jonathan Williams, Jr., was Captain Jonathan Williams, born June 8, 1764, died January 23, 1814 ; married, October 14, 1784, Polly Dean, born 1766, died December 27, 1830; their children were: Jonathan, Jr., who married Phebe Elmes, November 12, 1820; Polly, Hannah, Sally, Eliab, Augustus Dean and Eli, who married Fannie Pickens, March 25, 1830. He was born April 12, 1796, died December 6, 1884, in Lake- ville, Massachusetts. He was the brother of Jonathan Williams, Jr., who was the father of Theodore Dean Williams. Captain Jonathan Williams' father was Deacon Abiel Williams, Jr., born 1740, died February 10, 1830, aged ninety years ; married, November 16, 1758, Zeruiah Staples, born January 27, 1740, died February 1, 1814; she was the great-grand- mother of Theodore Dean Williams, and the daughter of Deacon Seth Staples, of Taunton, Massachusetts, who married Hannah Standish, born 1704. She was the daughter of Ebenezer Standish, born 1672. He was the son of Alexander Standish, born in Duxbury, died 1702. He was the son of Captain Miles Standish, of Duxbury, of the "Mayflower" in 1620. He was born 1586, died October 3, 1656, married Rose, who died 1621; Barbara, second wife. Deacon Abiel Williams' father was Abiel Williams, Sr. He was born 1713, died December 19, 1778, married Mehitabel Williams. Abiel (1) Williams' father was Seth Williams, born 1676, married Mary Dean. Seth Williams' father was Samuel Wil- liams, married Jane Gilbert ; Samuel Williams' father was Richard Wil- liams, born 1606, in Huntingdon, England. He first came to Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1633, afterwards to Taunton.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.